Some Live in Poverty, While Median Income Falls Below Average

The American system of tipping holds the promise of great rewards for waiters and waitresses, but for most servers, the numbers don't bear that out.

Nearly 15% of the nation's 2.4 million waiters and waitresses live in poverty, compared with about 7% of all workers. They are more likely to need public assistance and less likely to receive paid sick leave or health benefits—and their ranks are increasing. From the start of the...